City Council - Regular Meeting

for the pledge of allegiance. Father, we thank you for helpless and bless me. Amen. of the United States of America.

All right. Activa's been posted on the front door of city hall. Notification this meeting All right. First up, we've got approval of consent agenda. Any further discussion? All in favor of approval.

Approve. Our first item this evening is public hearing number one which is to consider ordinance number 2520 with city zoning map by reszoning approximately 1.13 acres of land located at 1010 Coleman Drive from R10 residential to general commercial.

Good evening Mr. Mayor and members of council. So this is a property on Coleman Drive as you stated. It backs up to our place that you can kind of acclimate yourself if you're seeing it. It backs up to commercial. It is adjacent to commercial. They don't wish to build apartments because that's what the current zoning would allow for so they wanted to do to take it to commercial to develop it that way. If you have any specific questions, I can address them. Planning commission supported it. the public hearing. Is there anyone that wishes to speak in favor of ordinance number 25? Is there anyone wish or number 25? Mr. Mr. Any further discussion? All in favor of ordinance number

approve.

Our next item is to consider ordinance number 25-022 which amends the business license ordinance for the city of Greenwood. Um we're sorry recall that um we are required by state law to update our business license ordinance every two years. Um this is in accordance with um act 176. So um we've been over this a couple times. There are multiple businesses particularly in the um salons, barbers that are going down a rate, meaning that if their um revenues were to say exactly the same, their business would be cheaper. Um so, and this is um these these rates are calculated via IRS numbers given to us every two years. Is there anyone that wishes to speak in favor of anyone that wishes to speak in opposition to a very by Mr. Edwards. All in favor of number 252 business to update the classif

Everyone says they always hear me.

Public hearing number three is to consider ordinance number 25-023 which authorizes the city manager issues CPW revenue bond anticipation notes in 2026 is what corrected that three times. keep copying and pasting their own language there, but it's it's in 2026. So, we we do pass this ordinance every year which allows BPW um to float bonds if they need to purchase natural gas. Um they have advised that they do not have any intent to borrow money in 2026. Is there anyone that wishes in favor of or is there anyone that wishes to speak in opposition? Motion by Mr. by Mr. Anuss. All in favor of ordinance number 25. Merot public hearing number four is to consider ordinance number 254 which is the levy tax and adopt the budget for the state for 2026. Um there the budget is balanced at 23,00 14275.

There's no tax increase included in this budget. Millage remains set at 127.9. There is a 3% cost of living adjustment in this budget. There is some merit increases requested by some department heads and there are five new positions included in this budget. Communications specialist, the maintenance personnel, custodian and two police officer positions. Uh we have capital equipment in the budget of $515,000 and we do have the large fire truck purchase which is a little over $30. That truck could come sometime toward towards the end of 2026. That gives us an overall deficit of 1 8 million. Obviously, you can see the largest bulk of that is that large firetruck purchase, which is a rare purchase. We don't purchase fire trucks that often. Um, so without that fire engineer deficit is $115,000, which pretty good margin on a $23 million budget. Uh, staff is recommending that you balance the budget with our capital fund. And I'll explain this question.

Did I say 23,000?

All right. Is there anyone that wish Anyone wishing?

All right, come on up. Good evening. My name is Doug Collins. I'm here representing Regent Park. We are a small business uh here in Greenwood. We've been here for 26 years. So, we've been a part of the fabric of the community for a long time. Um we pay a lot in taxes. Um it's our public record. So, I don't mind saying publicly. almost $150,000 a year in property taxes. I noticed in the article that is in the paper that it appears that the spending revenues this coming year have grown by $3 million if I'm reading this correctly. And I'm going off for public notice that was in the index corner yesterday. Um, so that looks like that's right at a 15% increase in revenue for the city, which congratulations. I think that's a wonderful thing. I think we all want to see growth. Uh, we're very grateful for the city services that we receive, the police, the fire department. We're very grateful for all of that. So, please hear that out loud and clear. Um, we are concerned that we see an increase uh when the city does share resources with the county. And it would seem to me that the county is probably also seeing an increase in their revenue just based overall organic growth that is probably happening in county revenue around the new businesses, the new homes and so forth that are being built in the county. And of resources back and forth. Um, so I'm trying to get an understanding because

if I memory serves me correctly, there was an increase in mill this past year by the city. I thought I read that in the paper this past year that the city had a millage increase. And so there's a $3 million growth in revenues. Um, there have been many years that myself and my wife that are the owners of Regency Park that we took zero money out of the business in many many years that we have paid in taxes much more than we have taken out of the business ourselves. So obviously I'm concerned as a small business owner. Um and small businesses do carry a bulk of the revenue that is paid into the city for those of us that are in the city limits. Um as a lot of you know we've been lobbying for years to try to get stopwalks on center street. We have residents that walk to an elementary school on the shoulder of their school. Uh we've applied to the penny spells tax. We've met with the mayor. We've met with Julie. We've met with other members of the council. And we have tried and tried to see what we can do to get sidewalks over by Regency Park on Street. Um and we still have no way of getting that, no path forward that we can see. But yet by our calculations, we've paid in over two and a half million dollars now in property taxes in the 26 years that we have been here in Greenville. And granted, that went to the school system, some went to the city, and some went to the county. I understand it didn't all end up with the city. I understand that. And so I'm just

trying to understand when you have a 15% increase in revenue because that's That's a that's a wonderful thing. That's that's blessings for all of us that live here and participate. That is a huge blessing. But I'm also now wondering because I have to be a good steward of the funds that come our way. And so I'm asking is there a breakdown of this number somewhere? Can I get a breakdown of these numbers to see how this money is being spent? And I I'd like to request that the index journal that they publish that in the paper so that all of us as citizens are informed as to how these dollars are being allocated and how we so that and I did not stand up and ask to speak when you spoke to the business license but we also pay a large amount with our business license which not looking at it. It's another tax. So between this license and what we pay in property tax, it's a big number and for a small business who's trying to make ends meet and it's all of this is a big burden for us. And so we're just looking for some relief at some point like a 15% increase in budget. How come there's not a million Is there anyone else that wishes to speak in opposition to ordinance number 2524

I appreciate I very much would love for us to be able to our our expenses were not increasing at the same level of what the natural flow of what our incomes are also increasing is um in our budget which we line by line by line does um and you're exactly right it's actually 14% where that is in reality there's the money I think it's $78500 that's in there from CTC people you correct me um there's the money that's in there the fire engine which is over a million dollars. Um there is also an increase and this is actually from 1.02 2 million in the cost of living increase that's in the budget this year which I think of as part of increase we have from our natural our natural growth of our revenues it's covering that so of that actually the number is closer to 5.5 56 5.7 come from the state of South Carolina to cover the county transportation for us to build. All right. And then I think you're very aware, right? And then um and then out of our capital funds, then we move to our general fund. It goes up to $23 million just over $1 million is coming out of that. That number had to be put into the general fund for our general fund. So actually the natural increase is closer to five and a half% versus the total 15% of what you see on paper. It took a long

time to understand governmental accounting. It really the different funds that they have to go into and I I'll never fully understand it. That's why there right there. We always have a lot of questions for her but the about 15 million but there are some of that I'm sorry 15% there's a there is items that are not generally there cost I hope that makes sense and I'll be happy I'll be happy to sit down with you to to go line by line if we want to of the budget because um we've all done extensive amount of work on this budget to make sure that one we did not increase I would love for us to be able to increase and in the future as as contin and so we we want to be able to pay out of every dollar we have and I as council we question every single dollar that's promise you between those three right there's not in my opinion there's not taxpay we stretch them further so I promise you we're very very happy to go line item by line item and demonstrate that I'll be happy to do that still

Mr. No, I think um that Mr. explained that very well and uh I think that was very recognize that because even when we had to post that in the paper I said it's really a little bit misleading because it makes it seem as though our revenues have grown almost 15% when in reality part of that over a million dollars is that transfer in from our capital to our general fund to pay for that fire truck which makes it look like those revenues are a lot higher than they are. Um but the natural sort of revenue increases for our budget we're actually still 6% which is is really what allows us to balance the budget without raising taxes again. So, um I think that decision that council had to make last year to raise taxes is what allowed us to have a budget this year that didn't require any tax increases and I'm familiar with the issue with the sidewalk and we can talk about that again anytime. Um and I'm happy to give you a copy of the budget. We spend a tremendous amount of time on this as staff and so I always appreciate honestly questions. Our budget is

post a draft online just historically we haven't done a reason why we can't or shouldn't we put it on after it's approved we put the whole budget on there but I'll email you a copy of it if you want to look at Yeah.

Budget 25. to approve or number second by M. Any further discussion? All right. All in favor of ordinance number 25. this evening which is to consider or number 2525 which amends our code by chapter 28 by item section 28-42 criminal conduct because of punishable as an infraction

is there anyone that wishes to speak in favor of ordinance number 25 Is there anyone wish to speak in opposition to ordinance number 252 We have motion by neighbors by Mr. King. Any further discussion? All in favor of ordinance number 452. Miller

approve. We have a lot of new business items tonight. So, first is going to be considered partial funding for a new roof of the federal building. So, a little bit of background on this. Um, the 2016 capital project sales tax includes $686,000 for renovations to the federal buildings. Um this year that project was um bid and awarded and it included replacement of a splint roof, window glaze, reglazing, pool restoration, brick repointing, all that work is currently in progress. If you've been over by the federal building, you've seen the activity of work going on as um at the time that this project was bid out, the replacement of the of the flat, the other portion of the roof was also included. Um but as the bids came in, we didn't have enough money. It was a little over $400,000 to replace that portion of the roof and the funding through CPS2 would not cover it. So at that time we all met because as you know the city and the county I should have let the city and the county own this building jointly. It was decommissioned by the federal government and given to the city and the county I believe in I remember exactly what year but early 2000. So the city and the county owned this building and the art center leases it through an agreement with the city and the county. So, at the time we met, the county managers, myself and um the art center staff met and we encouraged um Sylvia and the staff to go try to find a grant. There's a lot of grants out there for um restoring and repairing

historic buildings. We said, "Hey, go see if you can find a grant." Um Silia's credit, she got a grant approved through the Department of Archives and History. It's $200,000 maximum grant which leaves approximately 385,000 to 410,000 that has to be covered to get the roof replaced. Um I met with the county manager um and what we discussed was approaching both councils about agreeing to um split the difference on the replacement of this roof. Um so tonight what we're asking is that you if you would consider funding this roof replacement in amount not to exceed 5,000 from hospitality tax. Um the reason I have to say not to exceed amount is there's still a couple of um things you have to work through the archives and history about whether or not we may have to rebuild this portion of the project since it's been a little while. They may require us for so there's a couple little caveats there and um so that's why the request is in amount not to exist. It's a consideration of funding. At a later date, we'll have to come back to you with a budget amendment, but this will solidify that you guys are approving the funding and then at a later date, you come back with the necessary budget. But I will say that I think when you go and look at other projects that existed from 2016, with the shortage of funding. Yes.

The I did note too that they they also applied for money in the 2024 capital project sales tax and were awarded for funding to $681,000 to do uh new flooring, new HBSC, lighting and plumbing improvement. Um, so I do think the art center has done a good job trying to apply for that funding so that they don't have to come to the city and the county and ask for the money to do these huge projects and the building. Um, I understand what you're saying, Mr. Bass. Um, and I do know that with the 2024 CPS, there was a lot of emphasis placed on inflation and how factor that into the funding request for each entity that received funding in 2024.

I just feel like ahead the things you're like we have responsibil for those moving forward for all the projects that we are associated with partnerships. So I think we need a plan rather than We've had this issue before where it's placed in front of us without going through this require we can ask a lot of questions but I think we need to go through these things for me just off the top of my head I can't think of any other projects come about but we have discussing a little bit about interest. We're not solve problems. This is our problem. And so I think we need that very wise Yeah, I do think that that's a good point. I think as you mentioned with 2016 considerably virtually none of the costable at least

maybe um But I agree with you that this this is one of our property that we again we share responsibility there agree with Mr. We're going to be working in the month to come. How many projects are out there? How many are we still? I I do not know right off the top of my head. So, I wouldn't want to But the projects are funded in order as long as the recipient is ready to tackle that project. So I'll give you an example. Um for G Street Park, that money was there a long time, but the process to get the park constructed took longer than we anticipated. So the money's collected in order of the project and so they don't jump. There are still projects. I want to say maybe it was the city county the county manager said there were seven left but I don't quote me on that I don't manage that dayto day like he does not possible look at all 27 of these before we give approval to move forward

with the federal I want to know how it start with the roof.

So yeah, so all of the projects on the list don't are not funded by the city. They don't may they may impact the city but they don't necessarily require funding from the city. This one is is very specific to us because we are co-owners of the building. Um, my opinion based on what I know about this project is that we're never going to get this roof replaced any cheaper than $105,000 for the city, 105 for the county and a grant from Department of Arch. We have four city and four 2024 but I think the point is 27 projects. We have four projects. So I think most most power of course 23 24 was the railroad stand 25 was platform 26. was more

27 West Cambridge Park. Public works facility, Grace Street Park, the art center. I think it was like like the mayor said the code inflation was so drastic that a lot of these projects are just way out of bounds from on budget from what was projected versus what you can do in reality. So, how will we correct what Mr.

I don't know how you combat it necessarily. I think this one is a little bit different because we own the building. Um, I just think it has to be a vetting process of this body to determine is it a good use of of dollars. Um, requirement. Is there anything in place for that?

Respectfully, I think that's kind of a broad question because guidelines can mean so many different things. Um, so I don't want to answer that question incorrectly. We don't have a process in place where we just let people go ask for money. Each each request is a little bit different. Um, so I think you just have to bet them individually. Um, that's my best I think all the ones that really ask they're asking us for a loan obviously a lot of question I don't think anybody has come to us and asked for money or requested money from us that's not been associated through the crystal partnership and and those are the only two that I'm aware of. I just know there's other projects that are out there and I don't think even if you go through the list of 27 that are upcoming and the ones from the past I don't I don't see there there being any other ones but as I said with with it for one we got to expect that others are going to also ask the same right and so and so when you set the president and you pick and choose who you're going to be doing stuff I think that's a very function of this body. I think I think at the body we ought to explore if this is something that we want to continue and if so what brothers we want to put in place if there's a strategy screen we need to put in just like what did for us for us to determine if this is something we want to tackle that's something that's

something that we can work on a great idea That question agenda. not by Mr. Second by Mr. Any further discussion regarding resolution?

If I could make one clarification, could you ask me one question that I didn't answer? So to answer your question is the original batch is causing a lot of leaks in the building. Okay. Thank you. And I did include some photos in your package of some of those areas.

All right. All in favor of resolution number 2510 Motion. We got investment update on wealth enhancement. Good afternoon. Good afternoon everybody. We got new actually name last year. It's been up

15 months. 14 months. Okay. Um, Wealth Enhancement Group purchased us from United Community Bank October 1st of last year. So, almost 15 months. Um, I'm Chip Hardy. I'm relationship manager for y'all investment accountant. With me is Alan Gillespie. My colleagues is also one of our investment managers, if you will. I was hoping we have organizing. We're ready. All right. Thank you. So, we want to just kind of give an annual update on the investment accounts as we go through it. U we have three accounts.

That's your font size. Ch. I just dropped it in there.

No, we have three three accounts for you all. Just as a reminder, two of them are restricted. The top one known as the capex account and then the bottom one that was the hospitality tax account. Those are specific for those needs. The middle one is the general fund. The three values as of November 30th over there on the right hand side totaling $15 million or so. And this is how the total pool between all three accounts breaks down. Cash and cash equivalents which is things that are maturing less than 12 months if you will. CDs. We have some CDs. We have some US government agencies and and the government treasures. And just as a reminder to council, you all are restricted on what we're allowed to invest in based on the South Carolina code because of the municipality. So we uh we do have one arm tie behind our back, so to speak. You're not going to see the magnificent seven in here or anything like that. It's all going to be fixed income like maturity and shortterm maturities. So the further we go into the report, the more it breaks down the details, if you will, of the section. There is the cash and then you'll see cash and something two different money market mutual funds. Fidelity who is y'all's custodian has some restrictions on minimum balances going to the one that pays more interest which is the bottom one thereXX big as we call it big XX that takes a million dollar minimum to open and then the million dollar average balance that we try to get in that account as much as we can. It pays about 20 basis points more than than the Fidelity cash reserves, the FDRX that both ticketed money market funds. So those just kind of those holding accounts when we get a maturity until Sarah and I can get our calendars together and talk. In fact, we had a maturity last week and we got another one coming due I believe this week. So she and I will be talking soon hopefully to get those monies put back to work. But in the meantime, we park them in those money market accounts to

earn you all more daily interest. The next section identifies more the accounts taxable fixed income account. Obviously we don't pay taxes but that's classified as there and the total portfolio there on the blue box there on the right hand side for the fiscal year today. So this July one it's about 157 and as we go further in you'll see more details higher than it has been an annualized basis. We have to do things mature since July 1st. Um the box to look at here is the third section down annualized. So the top section is 2026. That's fiscal year. Again 25 is a full year. And then you see the aster on the 24. That's also a partial year. That's what the aster stands for is partial year. So if we go off for full year in 2025 on the income interest and dividends on the far right side next to last you'll see 6 84,000

12art. So yeah so that that's what you all earned in the last fiscal year full fiscal year if you will. Um and then the next ones down shows the income streams. We wanted to address it briefly. Again, some of the stiffness and deposits. We have to spread those around to different banks because of FDIC limits. So, spread those around to banks around the country, southeastern country that we have access to through Fidelity. You see some of the maturity schedules there. We did want to point out there's some that people might wonder why we have maturities going out into the 2030 2030s. We those are from the SBA. Um bonds that I'll show I want to show you in just a second. They have ultimately long maturities, but we are planning to hold them maybe two to three years and they're quarterly revalued. They're still liquid. We can get them out whenever we want as as people repay their SBA loans. These are pools of SBA loans, but as you'll see um on the next page, they're worth the wait. That's right. Government that was it was. So that big section there is government agencies. You'll see that's six to seven or eight different SBA loans that we bought in the different accounts. And the column I'd like to draw your most attention to is the next to the right column yield to maturity. You'll see all of those paying very well in the six well blended out about 6.9% there at the bottom block block which shows the average of those. Again, when I meet with Sarah and we talk about these, these are kind of your longer term funds that can sit out there for two or three years. So the base of each account obviously not knows what she's going to have coming up as a fire truck that we heard about earlier. So we know not to locking those funds up too long but this kind of a base thing because we can get paid for the weight by doing SBA.

You'll get interest in principal paid back to you on a monthly basis on those. This just lists other securities and their maturities and their yields and things like that for other government trade we buy as well agencies and this just shows your overall projected income. So we got quite a few things that going to be maturing in the first quarter of fiscal 26 which is going on right now just happened right now. for the second quarter fiscal 26 there as well as below that it shows you the income that's coming off those and I believe the next total expected incomes um that's all the accounts again breaking them down by income by quarter and so one more Julie let's just show the total total income there by quarter um far next to the far right or right hand side the blue line on the very bottom right corner Julie 598 946 are the far the very last number

very last numbers total 5 million82,192 and that includes the principal reductions and not all I'd love to say we do that with all interest on $15 million account sorry that is not all interest is is part of that some of the maturities of principal are in that obviously as well that just shows you the quarterly breakdown for the income expenses off the account and will reinvest as you all you if you need the money we move to the general account comes out. You'll also have a merit account for each of these that elit for more daily liquidity. Our stuff is more for longer term investments.

I think that's the last page if I'm not mistaken.

Read that to us if you could contact that strong disclosure. Alan just reminded me that the SBA which is again about half the total portfolio um they do float they are variable rate keep off of prime and so as prime comes down a little bit with with rate productions those will come down but they're all still relatively higher pay than treasuries or agencies or speeds so that's why we put some of your longer term dollars in those but again they're always liquid into the bag that money out. Nothing is locked up long any questions elaborate on a little bit about our exposure. Um you could just talk about this. I think when we were in district, there's fun that we can use here at the state level. Um, have we looked at those kind of compare games?

Yes. So, I'll address the last question first. Fixed income bond portfolio as long as you hold to maturity, which is generally impression or you know plan to do every time we buy one. That's what I s each month go through the material fixed income accounts did not lose money. Now there will be variations within the lifespan of the bond or the agency could look like it's negative at the time as long you hold to maturity which again is your intention you won't you'll always get the coupon rate interest when you purchase it as far as interest rate um susceptibility as rates come down some of the higher paying bonds that we bought over the last couple years will also rates will also come down again all relative to that based year curve right now is pretty flat. Every time we talk, we look at current yield curve for 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36 months, etc. And it's pretty flat right now in the next couple of years. They did last week, but they're trying to make it more of a normalized curve. They go up to go out further because they can control the control. So working towards that but then again some of the SBA ones are work with the way I could get a higher coupon if you will. Um comparing it to the government pool you're referring to it's called local government investment pool run by state treasurer. It's about $18 billion and you should be able to do better. It has to mandate that pool has to be an average of less than 90 days duration. believe you're also four four years 4.1 years average duration I saw earlier but Elzip is allowed to invest in things

that you're not allowed to invest in like longer term things and more risky things down the credit stack the quality stack so you all have a little hampered to that does pay more than the low the shortterm interest rate money market funds but longer term we should be able to beat because we can go out further on the We hold some money in Sarah was looking up what their rate is right now. She didn't say how much money is held there.

Correct. Parallel three. and just because I mention it has to be at least not no more than 90 days average duration it runs about 57 58 59 days so in shorter term it will come it'll be a little bit more volatile as interest rates come down so you'll have some longer term maturities come down through treasur's office and manages that organization.

She has excess money longer term from theirs to move it to ours. Needs money from ours to move it to theirs as well. a little better,

right?

We have about five five six million in there. the closer we get to the end of the year, of course, the less funds that'll be there. Um, due to, you know, using those funds up before we do our tax money, you know, December, January time frame. I remember when we when I first got council, our our interest revenue was less than $100,000 a year. And this year, conservatively, Sarah budgeted, I believe, right around $300,000. That's justeneral enjoy the relationship as well. 700 this year. changed last year.

All right.

Greenville candle. We appreciate the update. No, thank you. We appreciate the relationship. Enjoy working with Thank you.

But it's not going to hurt.

Under new business, item number three, I am um proud to recognize the city of Greenwood's corporate culture team. This is a new uh endeavor for our staff and I think they've been extremely enthusiastic about their the role they're playing on behalf of our of our staff and so they have a presentation that they want to give you this I'll click for

you kind of like stand.

Um so thank y'all so much for this opportunity. Um, as a lot of y'all know, for about 12 years of my first um, I say food girl job, I worked for County Bank and I was a part of their corporate culture and communications team. And so that is a big piece of the experience that I brought to the HR department was corporate culture. Um, and one of the things that I noticed even when I came to work here in 2016 was we didn't really have a mission statement. Our police department did and our fire department did, but we didn't have one. We didn't have core values and all those things. So when once we got our footing underneath this for the HR department, that's something I wanted to tackle. And so um George was gracious enough to let me do that. I met with Lisa Bartanis who some of you may knew some of you may know Lisa worked um at Pumont Tech and then she went to the hospital for a while and now she's back at Pumont Tech. But she played a very big role in the work that I did with county bank. And so I knew if I wanted somebody to come in and help us facilitate that, I wanted it to be done. And so she and I worked together and um put together the bulk of what we did. Um but then these guys along with some others that you see in some pictures really did all the work. Um so we're excited to present to you guys who knows if you want to flip through. So why who who cares about culture? Well, we do number one, but also the Gallup organization tells us that if you have culture right, you're going to attract more candidates. You're going to retain the people that you have. You're going to increase engagement. You're going to improve the well-being of our employees. We're going to have better diversity, equity, and inclusion and we're going to give the best customer service customer service experience that we can. So, why why did we want to do this? And I just gave you a little bit of that background. Our group of um corporate culture teams that we called ourselves, we came together to develop the framework and the expectations that we want to have for the city of Greenwood's corporate culture going forward. These are just a couple of snapshots of some of the work that we did. You can see um there there's a lot of folks in

that room. We had I think 16 people on our team. Um we only have a few of them here today, but um we worked really hard for four months. We had one meeting every month and we started that in September and we just had our last one last week and this group worked together to come out with what we're going to present to you today. This is the the big team on the left and then this was us on Thursday of last week when we finalized everything. Um so um as you guys know it's very very competitive in the job market and the days of somebody coming to work for us because we were the government and they could work for 28 years and leave and be great are are gone. Those days still don't happen anymore. Um we're lucky that we have a lot of experience, a lot of things that stay with us, but if we keep spending three to five three to five years now we're call a win. Um, so we have to find other ways to be competitive and recruit. And so culture is something that the the generations that we're hiring now, they look for what is a good corporate culture. How can I fit in? How can I benefit from them, but also how can I give back? And so that's some of the things that we talked about um when we talked about ret um recruiting and hiring new staff. So what we were going to do, we had a goal of three things. The first one was to create a purpose statement. We didn't call it a mission statement because this is not an outward focus um mission and and value. This is internal for our employees to use and for us to use as HR. So we created a purpose statement, we created core values and then we took those core values and we created um attributes that we wanted to see in the staff members that work for us. So um Lane, do you want to come up and share a little bit about the core values that we I'm gonna let him talk a little bit.

So we discussed some of the core values that we want to look for in our team. Things that we kind of all across the department were very important to us. We have teamwork, respect, accountability, communication. There's a lot of back and forth, but we have a couple different things.

So, I'm not going to read all of this, but you guys have this in the handout that I gave you. And this is just a quick graphic of what we're going to try and create. Um, we use the work the the acronym trace. And so we want to see a trace of all of our values and our in and everything that we do every day at the city of Greenwood. We joked about how um you know at Chick-fil-A, you know, when you go to they're going to tell you it was their pleasure. And we want these to become ingrained in our staff just like that. Um Lane has a background in managing at um um Angles and he said he used to tell people have a bow tastic day. So we're like we want to get that cheesy with these. So, um you can see we're using the trace like you trace your hand as our graphic. We're going to create posters and um we actually when I work for county deck we created this little pocket guide and if you guys ever have been to a Ritz Carlton any employee at a Ritz Carlton has a pocket guide and they pull it out and they can go through their core values with anybody that's the Ritz Carlton if you didn't know that. So, we created these when I worked at the bank and I still have it because these are important and they stuck with me and if you guys know county bank their staff follows this culture and it is very important to them still to this day and I'm pretty proud that I was part of that and so I hope when I leave here before follows and keep us going through um our employees as well. So, you have that in front of you. Um then we the last thing that we talked about um was how we established and maintain

No, I mean like for in the future when I'm gone, you know, 30 years. They all have like three year counts. I have 10. But we talked about, you know,

she'd be like she already quit. Um, but we wanted to talk about what are the responsibilities not only of our staff but also our leaders. And so some of the things that we're going to do is we're going to make sure that we are incorporating these into everything that we do um into how we're hiring, how we're interviewing um we're going to put it into when we're evaluating our employees, when we're doing our um annual performance evaluations, we're going to put this stuff in there. They're going to be graded on these things. We're going to hold um employees accountable. When we're coaching them, we're going to use these models to coach them when there's an infraction of of some discipline issue. And we're also going to recognize and celebrate when they're doing exceptional. When they're showing these attributes, we're going to celebrate them and congratulate them. And we don't know exactly how yet. That's what next year's about. Um, but then we also have the same things for the staff. And so, anything that we we were asking the leadership to do, there's a correlation for the staff and what we expect from them. One more. So, this is our action plan for next year. Um, first we're doing the first step right here. We're sharing this with our city um with our city council and we shared this with Becca and Julie. Now, they this first time they've seen it. They were not allowed to come to any of our meetings. We kept them out so they didn't see it. Um, we actually didn't have any department heads to begin with, but then we had some department heads who wanted to be a part of it. So, Mike was there, Kitchen, Kelly, Corona, not he volunteered. So, there was another that TJ had said, "I'll have Courtney come." And Coron said, "No, I want to be a part of that." And so I thought that was pretty special that you wanted to be a part of it. Um so thank you for that. Um so we did that first tonight. We rolled it out for you guys. The next we're going to um integrate those core values into those things that we just talked about um you know into our website, recruiting tools, all of our performance evaluations, evaluations, graphics. You're going to see this everywhere. And then the next thing we'll be working on is creating opportunities for education and

understanding these values. And so we'll be working with Lisa to expand our training next year to include um trainings that focus on these values. And we already know we have some things lined up like communication, exceptional customer service, those types of things. Um and so we'll be pushing that stuff out um in the first quarter of next year.

Oh yeah, you didn't stand up. We we had a very very good group and if I missed something y'all tell me because I think I should talk about but it was oh we didn't read the purpose statement out. Sorry that was my fault. I jumped ahead. So this is the purpose statement and I will tell you it was about 14 paragraphs long when we started and we we missed it to get it exactly like we wanted it. I missed one of the sessions when I came back. I was like whoa it's totally different. Um, but this is our purpose statement. City of Greenwood employees will support one another and collaborate in a structured environment while encouraging professional growth. Again, it's an internal purpose statement for our staff. Um, and we're going to use it with each other. And then eventually, hopefully one day we'll get to where we have an external more external branding message, but we're going to start here internally and then push it out.

Lisa, do you want to add anything?

Was such a pleasure to work with. I want to thank you for that opportunity. And I also want to mention that In between our work sessions, the corporate culture team had the opportunity to go back to their specific departments and share the progress that had been done and get feedback from all their co-workers and they took that very seriously. They came back. We had very robust discussion and debate as the core values and the purpose statement and the team member attributes were evolving over that four month. So fantastic engagement on the part of his team and their co-workers as well. Well, I certainly appreciate team members want to share with us a lot of it. I'm just excited to see where it's

Well, I can tell you that our management staff didn't know what to expect. We certainly didn't. Uh, but learned a lot. I think this a great start. I look forward to y'all continuing to develop this into the external purpose statement as well. at least the rest. Thank you.

I didn't think uh after every after every meeting I would ask how it went. I think this group was really engaged honestly and I know Sydney would bring it bring it back to our admin staff and say here's what we talked about today and what feedback y'all have. So I did get to be engaged just a smidge but they did intentionally keep us out of the room. Um and that's okay with me because I didn't get invited to a lot of meetings but I really appreciate the engagement from the staff that was on part of the culture team and then also the ones that weren't. So and I think um excitement is contagious and so business. Item number four is uh ordinance number 26-00001 which amends our zoning ordinance by amending table 3.1 is our zone district use chart additional permanent uses in general commercial additional conditional uses in general commercial regarding tattoo parody piercing and ABC package stores I'm going to just give a brief synopsis on this one um the there um body piercing um currently in the city in in general commercial and um tax parlor are required to be a thousand feet away from um child care centers, adult care adult care centers, primary and secondary schools, churches, temples, synagogues or other vacuum parlors or bottle facilities. Um it was brought to our attention that this did not apply to ABC package stores. So uh we asked planning commission to take a look at it and the recommendations that you are considering tonight is what came out of the planning commission. So the recommendations essentially to add a package storage to this same 100 foot radius. The city attorney has recommended that we update the way this

is the radius is defined which is what you see underlined here. Um I don't know if I can answer that. I try to keep that really concise. So essentially what you're doing tonight is you're establishing a distance radius of a thousand feet for for um ABC stores from schools, daycarees, churches, temples and synagogues. And this will be a conditional use in the general commercial zoning district in addition to body piercing. I'm just The measurement of the thousand foot radius we make from the center of a building footprint where the use is intended to be

which is why trip recommended that we update the definition because prior to that it was a little bit vague on how you chist.

Sure. And in the past, we've had this come up and the state regulates this, too. Um, and so, you know, there's always this back and forth. Well, the state measures it from the corner of the parcel to the corner of the next parcel or maybe they measure it door to door and maybe it's the shortest path you could drive, you know, so there's there's a lot of back and forth about how it should be measured. So, this just clearly measure it. What is this when body package stores not included.

Well, the ABC package stores were never included and I think they were sitting on the state to help police that. We had a case where someone came in with their store in and we got calls on it called the state and they stated we measured from here. That's exactly what you stated was we do this. We go from door to door with a reasonable walking path or driving path. And so after that one was approved, we had discussions about it and took it to planning commission at the next meeting. Um I think in the course of that time suggested that we refine the definition. So we're measuring everything the same way. is always

I think it probably was done when the zoning ordinance was voted on in 202 and the state is distance is 300 ft. So this is more restrictive than the state and we can be more restricted we can't be less restrictive in existing businesses that are already in place and clearing tax only

we are clarifying the definition so the definition has been clarified for all We're adding ABC package doors and then there was one little error in the zoning matrix that we're correcting.

Nothing changes. All in favor. reported, you still fail to say that planning commission did recommend approval. Yes.

All right. Under new business to consider ordinance number 26-002 which amends the city's zoning map by rezoning approximately 2.37 acres of land located off an unnamed alley at 703 Oaks Bridge Street from R4 medium density residential to high density resial. Yes, but this one came in and the property adjacent to it, you can see just to the north of it as R is owned by this, it has the same ownership. There's no direct access to coaches, these two parcels, but they would be combined and assuming with the larger parcel that's there. So, what you see there is what we refer to as no. It's an unnamed street that's open. said that's that's the quote unquote access but there is no real access there. Their application was you know thinking it would be more likely to be combined in with the property that could be developed and that's between that property and the old villa university yeah university commons um which is up at the top of that. So they have a you can see how much frontage they have on Coach Street. They also have some frontage on some of the internal streets behind First Baptist Church. So there plenty of points of access to the larger parcel that's already zoned R10. They were asking to have these two parcels zone R10 as well. Basically for consistency and the concerns we got from the public were that it may create more traffic on the road. it may um influence things that could happen in Henry Heights and a couple other residents who were over there really concerned about it. You can see the future lang the comprehensive plan show medium density residential. Um I believe

this is the this is the revised one. They did change the larger portion above it to high density residential because it was already zoned our dens. Um so when we updated the maps recently, this is one of the places that got actually bumped up a little bit. So, um in this case, these two parts actually stay in the medium density classification. Now, um I think planning commission recommended denial of this one as based on land use. Commission number 26 to amend the city of Greenwood's official zone. 0420 approximately plus 2.33 acres of land of 73 residential. Excuse

me. New business item number six consider ordinance number 26-003 map by reasoning approximately 77 acres of land located at 1201 East Cambridge Avenue from R4 medium density resc The history of this it was created these parcels were created when um East Heights was created back in 1957 and reported in 1958. At the same time in 1957 they reported um covenants and restrictions associated with the development that limited it to all single family residential use. About I think about two months later, and I've got them I've got copies of them here. About two months later, the original developer went back and reported a new set of covenants and restrictions that removed lots one, two, three, and four, which that's actually one, two, three, and half of four. The other half of four was combined into the property just to the north of it. Um, and remove those from the restrictions for single family to allow for commercial development. mentioned things like a grocery store or a shopping center. Um, so these were not included in the covenants and restrictions from that day forward. They had one couple had purchased a lot at that point and they signed up on the reporting of the covenants and

restrictions as well, the new ones. It appears to me from what I've been able to find out is that a lot of the residents didn't get the revised copy of those covenants. They had the original copy and it may have been an oversight, but it wasn't that hard for me to find because I went back through and basically did some deep research and was able to track it down. The request came when an applicant from um Columbia area um West Columbia um made an application. They're looking at purchasing the property and they wanted basically a clear ability to develop this or keep it as it is as commercial but refine the property and add it to their quote unquote portfolio to bring in a commercial business there. So, it's been commercial title. Um not saying that I go back to 1958. So, um but it's always been a commercial use. um since it's been there, there's been a mix of commercial uses. Um any benefit to changing it would mean that if they do come in and new new businesses come in, we could get increases to buffers, landscaping, parking because a lot of those things don't really exist now. There's some good landscaping on the front, but um we did have concerns about the fact that it's surrounded by residential, but when you look back and read um the language, if you want to go forward to the future land use map, this kind of surprised me, but it goes back to the original future language map and the oldest comprehensive plan we got. So, you can see across the street is residential. Um you can see up on the top left photo the building on the front that's been decoed and improved over the years. And then the back is a series of bays and there are different things that have been back there. I know for a fact one of them was a guy that was doing auto detailing um and other body work.

Um he has since moved because he knew a new owner was coming, but there's been a mix of uses in that back section. Um uses in the front have been offices. There was a Marita bread store there for a period of time. The most recent thing was the home health care I believe but there's been a mix of uses on the frontage as well. So if you go okay this is our future lane use map where the from our conference plan that's tied into our GIS you can see that parcel has a future land use of and that goes back to the original future land use. So the early childhood center which is east school is the public use. Everything else is residential. That parcel of mine is stand out as commercial in that section. And you go there's another map in there. This is the dbook. If you show where the error is, you can't really read it. This is the dbook where they actually changed it. I think the original book was dbook 128. um page I've got in here, but I'll make sure you get copies of those at this board. This is the actual language. Um whereas it was the intention of the set, Mr. Coleman, no relation to myself, um to exclude and accept from the said covenants, restrictions, and covenants lots one through four inclusive of the said subdivision. said that lots one through four could be used for a shopping center or other commercial purposes but through mistake or inadvertent said lots one through four were made subject to state governance conditions along with the other lot so that's when they pulled it out um they did record this as well so it's a civil that's a civil matter

yes I did talk to a gentleman who's an attorney and I said cop and he said you did research this and I said well once it came up that the restrictions were there I just kept looking because I thought this is odd that this is commercial in the future land use shows it's commercial how did this happen I didn't think it was an oversight and that's when I kind of stumbled on by looking at different lots I found a different reference for one of the lots that was sold after that

are you referencing a future land use map from a comprehensial plan for the No comprehens I've gone back through all of our future land use maps and all of them consistently started as commercial. No, it's commercial now. There was I think some discussion about approaching the applicant about neighborhood commercial.

I put it out on the table. I have I don't have an answer yet. This is first reading. So, they will be here um for a public hearing. So, I think they probably respond to that at that time and maybe give me some information before the day. I know they were trying to preserve their ability to do a number of uses and make it more marketable, but their statement is that I'm not trying to speak for them to except they own a quote unquote portfolio of commercial properties and manage them and make improvements to the buildings to meet their minimum standard and they intend to have tenants.

I mean, I think commercial building We love to see people put in and maintain those buildings. Uh but if I guess I'm a little torn whether we vote on this and then between first and second if they were to change and seek a neighborhood commercial usage we have to send that back to if they were if they're okay with neighborhood commercial that would be a less intense request. So that can go forward. Now, if you did want to remain at the planning commissioner and have them go back to a public hearing, we could obviously do that, but it would not be a request to come before this.

Yes, I remember. So, So, so in essence that could not happen.

But I don't want you know a potential error in the matrix research. So that you what I just provided you guys and I apologize. I meant to put that in your packet. Um this agenda got so long I missed it. But um these are the uses what I printed was the uses allowing general commercial, neighborhood commercial and also professional. to see the difference in Houston. We also have neighborhood services.

They do have one planning commission. We did have a few um people from the community there. I've had people not in favor of commercial identity neighborhood for all these years. How many people really some people even notice what's going on? Well, the signs were posted. We did send out letters and we did advertise.

I'm not saying I'm just repeating. Am I wrong? It's not been commercial for 67 years. It has. So, like I said, 1957 they created the subdivision. Um, 1958 they recorded covenants and restrictions. Um, subsequent that they re-recorded covenants restrictions removing these four lines which ended up being three and a half um for commercial. So, that's in their covenants and restrictions. Always been

whether it was conforming or not. It has never been digital. It's always been commercial. That commercial that building was built in 1958. And I guess what apparel their concerns for other it would be a commercial like a grocery store pop up there or a shopping center. They don't want that. They're fine with what is being um reserved kind of like not so a lot of traffic there. Is there anything we can do to restrict it to use?

I don't know that we could do that unless unless they were willing to record, you know, additional covenants to themselves to limit what they can do. Um, I'm not sure. I I've done some research. I don't know that I can tell you everything that's ever been there. I mean what I would say is if it's the change is used right then it's going to trigger the new zoning. So um if the use stays like it is now there's no issue. If it if it were to change then a new co has to be issued and it has to be in line with our zoning which is what exists now. If you change the zonings then obviously that opens up to whatever you think would be allowed in that particular district. right now if if that if that uh building were to become vacant or if the were to change then it would trigger a new which would then trigger the zoning requirements of the way it's done now which is our four I mean I guess I am curious about the applicants for neighbor I think maybe it' be pretty now because neighbor commercial in essence would restrict and restrict what could be there and even potentially to use that for the last years. So, I don't know. I just I don't know whether it's worth voting on the first reading and then change it to neighborhood commercial. I certainly I certainly I know you probably been talking to constituents and yeah I mean I know the public hearing but I don't want to

prove it and then we neighborhood commercial. I do think neighborhood commercial, this is just me, it looks like neighborhood commercial use, but that's not what the I know that follow it doesn't have a convenience store. You can have a you can have a convenience store and you can have a convenience store and this is that's the error that I brought up. So it says you could have a convenience store with gas in neighborhood commercial and I thought that was interesting that that was allowed. more generator.

I don't think I don't think grocery store

commercial is commercial. I mean the closest thing was I think we need to update the matrix anyway because I guess our options are to and or commission for commercial and I know that's not we don't technically have to do that but I think I would feel better doing that knowing I'm not trying to delay

and if you do send it back we can treat it as a new one and we can send out notices again and advertise it again for January. That'll be great. I didn't print the whole portion of the neighborhood commercial because we wouldn't have But if they if they do meet the conditions, then they can't do it. I make a motion number commercial.

I guess you start all over.

So I don't want to put any words. Yes. just go back to planning before it go back to planning commission for reconsideration zone. You can take the motion like I make a motion that we send ordinance number 26-3 back to a planning committee for reszoning um consideration for I think the minutes have it pretty

they want planning planning commission to reconsider a listing Item number seven is to consider ordinance number 26-004 amending the city zoning map by reszoning approximately 15.56 acres of land at 1423 bypass 25 southeast from general commercial to master plan residential. So this one is a um request by heer design to redone this plan. Um the intendance develop 56 lot patio home subdivision. Um planning commission is recommending the approval with a 99 vote. Um I my opinion here is that we're lacking information that we need from the NPR ordinance. I talked to Carol about it. Um the the NPR portion of our zoning ordinance uh is very specific about things that need to be required. I don't think we have them yet. We can still discuss this item. If any of you guys want to proceed, but I think we need more from the applicant with the landscape plan, a site plan. We don't have any of those things at this time. prepared to discuss that.

We don't have the parameters of this offer.

I just know we've been having, you know, and I know the NPR zoning is relatively new. Just saying as a city manager, I think some of these NPR zonings have created some challenges for staff from an enforcement standpoint. Um, when I think about seven OS was the first one we did. I don't think we did a very good job of enumerating specifically in the ordinance exactly how things are supposed to go, which makes it a little more challenging then for staff to enforce those specific pieces of the um zoning ordinance. Um because the NPR is the community, right? And you're zoning it very specifically to this parcel and you're asking that developer to follow a very specific plan that they have to you. In my reading of it, I didn't feel it was complete. Carol may disagree, but I know as much conversation as we've had about trees and buffers, I would have liked a little more information specifically with the landscape. What we did just on the history when it came, it was kind of a hodge podge. It came in with a request that referenced the county zoning ordinance for a city. So, we had to clarify that. Um, then they amended it to R15 and we said actually, but I don't think that really had a strong idea. I mean, what they what they it to didn't reflect what their site plan then showed. So we suggested because there is the site plan that was included with it had so much open space in it. We suggested that if they went back to the drawing board and they came back the planning commission um with another you know came back with another plan that if they added to that plan they could probably qualify for an MTR. said they came back with a a playground, I think a dog park, walking trails, but they didn't give us um a defined planting plan.

Yeah. And I and I I have seen this. I just feel like in previous NPRs, we've had more specific site and this is very conceptual. I spoke with that a little bit more to me. Um, I do agree with you and I'm not saying we made some certainly some lessons. I do think probably some more details if we are requesting that before we move forward. Is that something we need to plan?

I do not think so. I think we might take this Absolutely. And the thing is it's not going to sell unless it has unless it has already been cleared. So I think in this particular one and I think all these are really different which is why you choose this zone. Um, and so when we have a lot that's been already cleared, I think the buffer become even more important. Not all of it's cleared.

Going down where it starts going downhill where the slope starts there. And I don't know that that's what was there before or that's volunteer grow. All I know is when I grow in a And it doesn't look like it doesn't look as thick as the acres, but that's just it from the road because you kind of have to the traffic pretty rapidly on it. And so I don't property that was the property homes that were less than $200,000.

Yes. or two yet that range not higher than that which everybody else say but at that price point I will say marketing price for I think that's certainly worth using This is a work session, but I think it's worthwhile mention discussing the Right in front of that they do have access where they're showing it and access to the road below it.

Well, they have an access out of that point. They have permission for that. I don't know. It may have to be pushed up a little bit. see if she was looking at that for me, but I don't think that's their road. I would like to see how far they need to be off of that interchange in order to be there on the on the right side, but on the right side, uh if those weren't there, you stretched out a little bit. A lot of

we make sure we don't certainly is a green exactly because we talked about talked about talked And it took us forever to get the amically in order for it to be very specific. That's what you're telling us. The NPR has to be very specific. I think if you're going to tell if you're going to tell a developer, okay, yes, we're going to approve your NPR, you got to know first of all what you're approving and what your budgets are, meaning what are the additional things that you would require that for example, believe they say 20 foot buffers. I don't remember if it specifically calls out what the buffers will be. Um, and so I think those are the types of things that you would want to know. Is it going to be a tree buffer? Is it going to be a BM? Is it going to be planting? Otherwise, you might as well just approve whatever the

February I make a motion until our council meeting on February 23rd I'm sorry I'll make a motion we push home uh this request till February 23rd to allow for planning staff and administration to collect information.

Second New business item number eight is to consider ordinance number 23 session 05 approving a loan to the green. We've discussed this a lot so I'm going to hit the highlight. Um the loan amount being requested is $371,78 which includes a 20% contingency. Uh the term is that it will be repaid by December the 31st, 2029. Uh I mentioned that CPS Josh projects that this money will actually be available in December 2028, but um that's a very fluid it's an educated guess on when that money will be available. So we wanted to give a little cushion in the repayment time. The will be 3%. Um as Mr. um Gilbert spoke in the last meeting, his preference would be to repay that annually. Um the collateral is the building itself which is 110 Main Street and the money market account that the um theater has. The loan is unforgivable. Um and the items to be completed are enumerated in the addendum and include the structural items, the roofing, the repointing of the brick and the courtyard door. I'm not opposed to this, but I just want to make sure we're not losing any money on what we would have made we notably and I know

if we conceivably are I want to be able to recognize what that So we can make any way to variable. I think I would feel more comfortable with

a chance.

Well, that's what I mean. Unless this is something earlier we can equal to, you know, we want to prevent or we want to just make sure this isn't something that we We vetted we we vetted this rate internally a good bit trip and Sarah and I there was a lot of back and forth about it. We landed on the 3% because it's a short it's such a short term the variability of the rate um and uh the fact that we already have sort of this standard where we do this two below prime not to not no less than 3%. So um you have anything you want to add to that evaluation? It can be whatever you want. It can be as difficult as that would be a calculate every year. You're not really you're not really addressing the problem that you are talking about. So because the short term any variable might not address what you're what you're really I was just thinking to account for I just don't want to again I am not opposed to it. I love to help them if we could. I just if we if somehow the end

of this we are going to lose some money I want to know what that is we of course we won't know that for seven years I think there was no way to really predict what that

we can't predict now I'm just go I don't want to say historical data again like we had in 2008. But again, it goes back to just follow. Anyone has any proposals to change these times. I make a motion that we um approve of the I mean number 26-y further discussion all in favor

Under new business item number nine is to consider resolution number 25-0 updating the um contract with the law page pad for our city attorney and prosecutor duties. Um, we haven't updated this agreement since 2017.

Okay. Yeah. In 2017, we updated this agreement because um the law firm was doing some work for us under the neighborhood improvement program. I don't know if yall remember that program. We got large loan a grant large grant to uh demolish dilapidated housing. It required a lot of real estate transactions. So, this um update to this attorney attorney agreement really removes all of those um requirements that don't don't need to be in there anymore. Um the only other things that changed is that um since the last agreement um we have adjusted to pay for the city attorney. So, the rate of pay changes from uh currently $5,512 a month to $5,678 a month. Um and then the hourly rate has decreased as well. Uh just just as time has passed. Um it's really rare that Trip performs any hourly work for us outside of his contract. Typically everything that he does for the city is covered by his contract. If he has to do something outside of that, he will let me know ahead of time, hey, this is outside the dunes of my contract. Remember, this is in our hourly rate. Um so again, we don't it doesn't happen very often. Um and so I would ask that you would approve this new contract with this concern for clarity for the record. The prosecutor duties are that trip prosecutes um on all of our cases in municipal court. So he comes to city court when we jury trials. He negotiates plea deals for all cases tried in city court. And then he also um does what he's doing this and all the other things that I need from him. He loves getting overl

All in favor of the resolution number 25 to me. Some weeks I need him a lot. Some weeks I don't have to bother him at all. But he's always very responsive. I'm very appreciative to the services that um again all of the ones highlighted here include food. Tomorrow we have the fire department's Christmas dinner at six o'clock at station one

station one 909 Main Street across from South Main station. Um on this um 17th at noon we have administrative and city council Christmas lunch here in the council chambers. On the 18th, we have a court breakfast and a public works Christmas lunch at the art center. And please note that their lunch is at 11 o'clock because they work 6:30 to 3. So they they take the early lunch. We're having brunch. I said to Eric brunch that's our lunch. Um and then we have obviously a lot of other Christmas events coming up. U we are closed on the 25th and the 26th for the Christmas holidays. Um so hearings galore. I want to make clear.

Um the chief and his staff have been working on a ward meetings for each of your wards. These are the dates that they are proposing. I believe um Corona's probably been the one kind of facilitating reaching out to all these churches and other locations to try to secure dates and times and locations. So if if at all possible, we would ask that we not have to change these. However, we understand if you have a conflict. So if you can take a look, let me know if it's if you have a conflict, maybe another council member can walk with you. Um possibly. So uh just uh take a look at those and let us know if you have heartburn.

I would love to have South Carolina. You don't have to tell us tonight, but if you just take a little time to look at it and let Chief and I know things don't work with your calendar, we'll do our best to reschedle if we can. Yes. And they broke the chain.

They turned into my church parking lot thinking it was I like that positivity. I was able to identify working on the house Well, we had a fantastic Christmas last weather staff and resourced. Motion by Mr. Fur discussion all in favor of motion.